McCain and Israel

Israel's Haaretz publishes a dishonest article portraying John McCain as moving away from Israel. Perhaps this is appropriate for what is considered Israel's version of the New York Times.

Senator John McCain marks a swing in policy from the Republican right to the middle of the map, close to the leading candidates in the Democratic Party

McCain's agreement to minor modification of the '67 lines is exactly what Sharon and Olmert proposed on Israel's border with the West Bank. It is in fact the settlement block strategy that Clinton and Barak endorsed at Camp David. Haaretz has always opposed settlements, and is trying to put McCain into their box. In fact, McCain, like any smart politician, is merely endorsing the policy of the Israeli government, especially, when it is itself, recommending territorial withdrawal.

Nonetheless, there are some disturbing aspects to what McCain suopposedly said to Haaretz. Obviously, Snowcroft and Baker are unsympathetic to Israel. But McCain appears to buy into the argument that is the Israeli Palestinian conflict could be resolved, that Arab and Muslim attitudes towards the US would improve. This is wrong. The conflict is almost certainly not resolvable and those who attempt to micromanage it will fail.

And the conflict is an excuse (as McCain admits), rather than the real reason for hostility to the US.

Richard Baehr 5 02 06

Israel's Haaretz publishes a dishonest article portraying John McCain as moving away from Israel. Perhaps this is appropriate for what is considered Israel's version of the New York Times.

Senator John McCain marks a swing in policy from the Republican right to the middle of the map, close to the leading candidates in the Democratic Party

McCain's agreement to minor modification of the '67 lines is exactly what Sharon and Olmert proposed on Israel's border with the West Bank. It is in fact the settlement block strategy that Clinton and Barak endorsed at Camp David. Haaretz has always opposed settlements, and is trying to put McCain into their box. In fact, McCain, like any smart politician, is merely endorsing the policy of the Israeli government, especially, when it is itself, recommending territorial withdrawal.

Nonetheless, there are some disturbing aspects to what McCain suopposedly said to Haaretz. Obviously, Snowcroft and Baker are unsympathetic to Israel. But McCain appears to buy into the argument that is the Israeli Palestinian conflict could be resolved, that Arab and Muslim attitudes towards the US would improve. This is wrong. The conflict is almost certainly not resolvable and those who attempt to micromanage it will fail.

And the conflict is an excuse (as McCain admits), rather than the real reason for hostility to the US.